FMSLogo for Teachers: Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities
Overview
FMSLogo is a free, educational version of the Logo programming language that uses turtle graphics to teach programming, geometry, and computational thinking. It’s well suited for elementary and middle school classrooms because commands are simple and visual feedback is immediate.
Learning objectives
- Basic programming concepts: sequencing, loops, procedures, variables
- Geometry and spatial reasoning: angles, coordinates, shapes, symmetry
- Problem-solving: decomposition, debugging, algorithmic thinking
- Creativity: design, pattern generation, storytelling with graphics
Suggested grade ranges
- Grades 3–5: introductory commands, simple shapes, patterns
- Grades 6–8: procedures, variables, simple algorithms, projects linking math concepts
Lesson plan structure (50–60 minute class)
- Warm-up (5–10 min): Quick demo of turtle commands (FORWARD, BACK, RIGHT, LEFT, PENUP, PENDOWN).
- Mini-lesson (10–15 min): Introduce a focused concept (e.g., repeat loops or defining a procedure). Show examples and live-coding.
- Guided practice (15–20 min): Students follow step-by-step tasks (draw square, triangle, star) with scaffolded instructions.
- Challenge/Extension (10–15 min): Open-ended project (design a pattern, create an animal, make a logo) with prompts and optional constraints.
- Share & reflect (5 min): Volunteers show work; discuss strategies and errors.
6 Ready-to-use activities
- Draw a House (Intro): Commands: FD, RT, LT, BK, PU/PD. Concepts: sequencing, basic shapes.
- Spiral Art (Loops): Use REPEAT and incremental forward distances to create spirals. Concept: loops, parameter changes.
- Procedures for Shapes (Modularity): Create TO SQUARE :size … END and call with different sizes. Concept: procedures, parameters.
- Coordinate Treasure Map (Coordinates): Use SETXY and ASK to place objects; students write instructions to navigate to points. Concept: (x,y) plane, translation.
- Symmetry Drawing (Math connection): Draw a motif and reflect it using rotations to build symmetric designs. Concept: angles, symmetry.
- Simple Animation (Sequences): Use CLEARSCREEN, repeated small movements with WAIT to animate a walking turtle. Concept: sequencing, timing.
Assessment ideas
- Checklist: Correct command usage, follows algorithmic steps, successful use of loops/procedures.
- Project rubric: Creativity (30%), correctness (30%), use of programming concepts (40%).
- Exit ticket: Short prompt—write the sequence to draw an equilateral triangle or explain what REPEAT does.
Differentiation
- Struggling students: Provide block-by-block scripts to modify; partner programming with roles (driver/navigator).
- Advanced students: Challenge with recursive-like patterns, parameterized procedures, or creating a simple drawing program that takes user input.
Classroom management tips
- Preload FMSLogo on lab machines; provide printable command quick-reference sheets.
- Use pair programming to reduce individual frustration.
- Save templates and starter files for faster setup.
Sample 3-class mini-unit
| Day | Focus | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basics & shapes | Draw 3 shapes; complete command worksheet |
| 2 | Procedures & loops | Create parameterized shape procedures; design a pattern |
| 3 | Project & presentation | Final design (logo/scene) + 1-minute student explanation |
Resources & extensions
- Starter code snippets for common shapes and loops.
- Challenge prompts (e.g., “Create a city skyline using at least three procedures”).
- Cross-curricular links: have students label shapes with perimeter/area calculations or write stories about their turtles.
If you want, I can generate printable worksheets, starter code snippets for each activity, or a full slide deck for the 3-class mini-unit.
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